Summary

This is the second statistical publication in relation to the linked HES (Hospital Episode Statistics) and MHMDS (Mental Health Minimum Dataset) data, following on from the summary report published in June 2013.

The two data sets have been linked using specific patient identifiers collected in HES and MHMDS thereby allowing the datasets to be linked from 2006/07. However, the additional analysis within this report focuses on patients who were present in the two datasets in 2011-12 only.

Both HES and MHMDS datasets have been restricted to cover only patients who accessed NHS-funded services in England and includes only those who are aged 18 and over during 2011-12.

Please note: On 02/10/2013 the report was updated to correct a typing error in the Key facts – which stated there were ‘just over 1.6 individuals’ classified as Mental Health service users, this should have stated ‘there are just over 1.6 million individuals’.

Key facts

There are just over 1.6 million individuals who are recorded as being users of adult mental health services (within MHMDS) in 2011-12; of these MH Service users:

Inpatient episodes of care

78 per cent accessed hospital services (Inpatient episode of care, Outpatient appointment or A&E attendance) at least once in the year, compared to 48 per cent of Non-MH Service users;

71 per cent were admitted to hospital as an emergency, compared to 40 per cent of Non-MH Service users;

46 per cent of the patients were aged 70 or over during the episode of care, compared to 35 per cent of Non-MH Service users;

A&E attendances

54 per cent arrived at A&E departments by ambulance or helicopter, compared to 26 per cent of Non-MH Service users;

36 per cent are admitted to hospital following the A&E attendance, compared to 22 per centof Non-MH Service users;

Outpatient appointments

Had an average of 6.9 outpatient appointments each, compared to 4.8 for Non-MH Service users.